What a week to be a woman MP.
Monday
Weeks starts with a meeting with Dutch official who what to discuss Customs issues post Brexit. Like the UK the Dutch have big trading ports and want to minimise bureaucracy and delays. We talk technical details. In the Commons chamber Minister for Work and Pensions is taking questions, I tell her unemployment is now less than 1.5% in Chelmsford, and am told Universal Credit is now much improved. I meet the schools minister to discuss plans for Mental Health First Aiders and Counsellors.
Tuesday – Very Exciting day celebrating 100 years since women got the vote. Westminster day started early with a mass photo of Women MPs and finished with a reception for the Women MPS, past and present. In between l questioned the forensic science regulator with the Science & Tech Committee, then asked the Hospitals minister about changes to Stroke Services - important for Mid-Essex. I championed women in science & engineering and voted through the Space Bill. I helped elect a new chair for the All Party Parliamentary Group for women, and chaired a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tech discussing tech ethics, AI, 5G & cyber-crime. I worked on individual issues for a number of Chelmsford Constituents from housing to health to buses and parking. I discussed Campaigns to improve online safety and to reduce social media trolling. I ended the day by talking trade & Customs laws with members of the Motor Industry.
Wednesday
At PMQs I get picked to ask a question! I ask about on-line abuse and social media. It is a growing issue especially for young people and women in politics. It is good to hear that the government is taking a strong action. We debate local government and police funding. I’m very pleased that there will be £450 million more for policing next year. Including increasing policing in Essex.
Thursday
Meet up with some of Chelmsford’s wonderful women councillors to discuss a celebration of the 100 years of women and the vote. We plan an event in Chelmsford later in the year.
Then off to City Airport headed to Geneva. The Science and Tech committee are going to see CERN.
Friday
Wow! Day spent with the scientists and engineers who study the beginning of the universe. We go in the famous Large Hadron Collider, 60 metres below ground. I learn that the UK is one of the leading countries on many of CERN’s projects, and that as well as studying particle physics the scientists here have invented PETscanners for Cancer, Touch Screen technology and the World Wide Web.